It will make you laugh. It will make you cry. It’s a great story. Do whatever you can to see Bella. It is a difficult movie to describe without giving it away. Essentially, it’s pro-life without being preachy. I did think the scene at the Spanish restaurant was a interesting commentary on how young women feel so trapped and simply want to “take care of it.”

SPOILER WARNING
There was once scene that was especially Catholic. Jose is bawling and his Mexican mother is holding him and comforting him in Spanish. The camera angle backs up and reveals a subtle image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The shot is set up so that the face of the Virgin of Guadalupe is “looking” at Jose weeping on his mother. It is very moving if you see it – the “Mexican” Mother of God looking down on a Mexican mother comforting her suffering son.

I also thought it was somewhat interesting that Nina’s perspective begins to change when she comes to Jose’s house. She bathes, is clothed in the new clothes and sits down at the dinner table. This experiences transforms her understanding of what life and family could be with love. I don’t know if the director intended it, but it is an analogy of our initiation into Christ. The bath of baptism, being clothed in the white of Christ as a neophyte, and then ushered to the family table for the Supper of love and fellowship.

END OF SPOILER WARNING

Anyway, it’s a great film. I had lunch last week with the lead actor Eduardo Verastegui and was impressed with him. He’s a man of profound faith. I applaud him and director Alejandro Monteverde for creating an honest piece of art.

It will make you laugh. It will make you cry. It’s a great story. Do whatever you can to see Bella. It is a difficult movie to describe without giving it away. Essentially, it’s pro-life without being preachy. I did think the scene at the Spanish restaurant was a interesting commentary on how young women feel so trapped and simply want to “take care of it.”

SPOILER WARNING
There was once scene that was especially Catholic. Jose is bawling and his Mexican mother is holding him and comforting him in Spanish. The camera angle backs up and reveals a subtle image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The shot is set up so that the face of the Virgin of Guadalupe is “looking” at Jose weeping on his mother. It is very moving if you see it – the “Mexican” Mother of God looking down on a Mexican mother comforting her suffering son.

I also thought it was somewhat interesting that Nina’s perspective begins to change when she comes to Jose’s house. She bathes, is clothed in the new clothes and sits down at the dinner table. This experiences transforms her understanding of what life and family could be with love. I don’t know if the director intended it, but it is an analogy of our initiation into Christ. The bath of baptism, being clothed in the white of Christ as a neophyte, and then ushered to the family table for the Supper of love and fellowship.

END OF SPOILER WARNING

Anyway, it’s a great film. I had lunch last week with the lead actor Eduardo Verastegui and was impressed with him. He’s a man of profound faith. I applaud him and director Alejandro Monteverde for creating an honest piece of art.